M. Necker on the Birds of Geneva. 275 



is covered with palmipedes of different species ; and while the 

 land is deserfud by its winged inhabitants, the waters are ani- 

 mated by the arrival of numberless birds from the north, who 

 come to seek their food in a laxe which the most severe win- 

 ter never freezes. Ducks of various species form a large 

 proportion of the annual visitors ; and the taking of these af- 

 ford to the fowler a considerable portion of his employment. 

 While the marshy grounds are not frozen over, these leave 

 the lake in numbers to feed there during night ; and the 

 people accustomed to take them, post themselves at break of 

 day by the margin of the lake, or on the borders of the marsh- 

 es, to intercept them on their return. But when the frost is 

 severe, the ducks do not quit the lake. They assemble in 

 crowds, seem jealous of the approach of enemies, and the 

 moment a boat approaches in their direction, take flight to 

 another situation. This excessive caution renders ordinary 

 boats of no use in their capture. 



The ingenuity of some young men belonging to a village 

 in the neighbourhood of the lake, has, however, overcome this 

 difficulty, by the construction of a canoe, or little boat, with 

 which they can approach the flocks of wild ducks without 

 alarming them. This boat is from six to seven feet long, and 

 the sides little more than five or six inches in height, with a 

 flat bottom. A hole pierced in the centre of the bottom, and 

 inclosed by a strong and elevated border, to prevent the water 

 from entering the vessel, permits the passage of a little oar, 

 constructed in the form of a duck's foot ; and a long-barreled 

 gun is fixed to the prow of the boat. The fowler extends 

 himself on his belly along the bottom, and gives motion by 

 his hand to the duck-foot oar. The little boat, thus im- 

 pelled by an oar which is not seen, is directed towards the 

 birds, who, perceiving nothing but a floating chest, are not 

 alarmed, and the fowler adjusts his aim when within the pro- 

 per distance. This frail bark can only be used in very calm 

 weather. 



'Vhcjifth and last section of M. Necker's memoir is devot- 

 ed to those birds which arc only occasional visitors, — the in- 

 habitants of distant countries, separated by accidental causes 

 from the rest of their species, and driven by similar causes 



